Ella Bloor: The power of 'why', unmitigated endurance challenges and the World Marathon Championships

If you race bikes in Australia, you've probably heard of Ella Bloor. Since her beginnings on the road, Ella has become one of the most endurance cyclists in the country on both gravel and mountain bikes. Ella is also incredibly intelligent and a deep thinker, doing an AMB X-Factor column. We caught up with Ella after a great campaign at the UCI Marathon World Championships, where she battled the toughest conditions imaginable to finish in the top 30.

So…2025 UCI Marathon World Championships…this comes after the big 2024 race for you, with the Life Time Grand Prix and UCI Gravel Worlds in 2023, followed by talk of a ride across Australia earlier this year. First, how was the World Champs course in Snowshoe?

Before going to the XCM World Championships in Snowshoe, I met Zoe Cuthbert (current cross country champion on Team 31), who after saying I was running in Snowshoe to 'have fun with that' – which she quickly did. I thought it would be difficult.

And look, it was very difficult. The 110km course had an elevation gain of 2100m and was a large loop starting and finishing in the mountain town of Snowshoe, West Virginia (US). The first part of the course was very difficult, and the race quickly broke up.

The first loop included a bike park, with sections of slippery roots and bridges. You then ride back out of the bike park downhill and onto a mix of natural style singletrack, which had slippery roots and rocks for days!

It was unlike anything I'd ever ridden in Australia, and I could see what Zoe meant. Once you get to the furthest part of the course, it almost turns into a gravel race, and the next 40km is a tough return on a rolling fire road. The last section of the course took us back to the steep, technical single track back to the bike park, the final nail in the coffin is a steep climb back up and into the area.

It'It is a special privilege to donate Aussie colours. How did it feel against the world's best in green and gold? Were you feeling confident after a few big years, or did you feel like a small Australian fish in a big pond? Maybe a carp? Or Barramundi?

It is truly a privilege to wear the Aussie colours. I came home from my trip across Australia to a pack from AusCycling with the kit inside, and I felt very special given what I had just experienced riding in this amazing country. I was nervous leading up to the race, given my strength after the Australian trip and the lack of time I had spent on my mountain bike – there aren't many corners, rocks or slippery roots in the Nullarbor!

I felt like a little Aussie fish when some of the best mountain bikers in the world started lining up next to me. But I was proud of myself for getting there, and I knew it would be another feather in my cap when it comes to building experience, and I've gained a lot by racing at this level and in Aussie colours. I also beat my original plate number 36 by more than 10 places, so I think I'll take it.

Notably, you've had some big adventures this year, riding across Australia, as you mentioned. It was a long journey alone. What kept you going when it seemed impossible?

When I take on a challenging journey, I really need to believe in the 'why'. That 'why' doesn't have to be deep, but I need to believe in why I want to be there. With the trip across Australia, I knew I was hungry for a big challenge, and I was curious to know what I would learn about myself taking on such a long trip alone. I also believed that I would be able to face any challenges that came my way, and I knew that the impossible times would pass if I stayed calm and remembered why I chose this hurt.

Does this drive you to every adventure?

For me, adventure is a bit addictive. It gave me some of the most exciting feelings, but it also encouraged me to face some deep corners within myself. It all boils down to knowing that this is something I choose to do, want to do and do. I am deeply rooted in the privilege of all this, which makes it easy to stay focused on how comfortable it is to be able to choose discomfort, and because of this choice, a deep sense of why I am doing this. It motivates me to pursue happiness and experiences, even when they are difficult.

Shifting gears here a bit, what'is your day job? How can you make life work so you can get out of these amazing events?

My day job is an architect in Canberra. I am fortunate to have the support of an amazing employer who offers the flexibility and confidence to manage the projects I am a part of in relation to my cycling endeavours. When I'm in Canberra, I'm usually in the office 4-5 days a week, then work remotely overseas at whatever hour, location and Wi-Fi connection I can find. It's definitely a big shake-up, one that I don't usually manage, but I couldn't be more thankful for having such an inspiring boss who makes me pursue the best of both worlds. Even if it sometimes means long days and running (or riding!) off the smoke.

You'I've been hanging out with the great endurance musician Lachlan Morton for the past few years. Has his penchant for humorous feats of endurance been a contributing factor to your larger and more challenging endeavors?

I was lucky enough to be included in Mitch Dockers 'Rat to Radelaide' in Jan 2023. My interest in bikepacking had been building since covid times, and at the time, a 5 day trip to Adelaide was too long. days on a bike I've ever done. Lach was on the trip, and I was able to discuss the upcoming LifeTime Grand Prix, which I had just been selected for. Fast forward to my US trip (and after a few solo travel disasters), I ended up staying with the Mortons in Boulder for an extended period of time! His genuine sense of humor (let's be honest, he crossed that borderline) has certainly been an inspiration and has influenced my desire to pursue difficult and challenging pursuits.

When I first met you, you were the most consistent and fastest batsman in what was then Australia's premiere for women's road cycling team. Can you tell me a little about your story, from the transition from small tiles to dust?

I certainly have an epidemic to thank for my conversion to filth. The pandemic put a pause on the race, which took me out of my routine and opened my eyes to many different activities! Skiing, trail biking, running, backpacking, hiking – whatever! So, when the race started again, I was just looking at the events on the dirt.

What's next for Ella Bloor?

Planning for the next one has already begun, and after two years of exploring and running across the US, I think I'm ready to look to other corners of the world. Maybe the Cape Epic, some gravel races in Europe, and a little bubble of excitement to see some of Norway's northern frontiers by bike. It's also great to see the growth of rock and the resurgence of XCM events in Australia, so I've got my eye on a few local events. I also want to mark my property registration at some point.. but for now, I'm sitting with what I've achieved in 2024. It was great!